INCLINE NEWS
May 1, 2009 - Lighting the Way: Beacon Brightens Up
BEACON, N.Y. - Forty-six people from throughout the tri-state area joined the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society
for its annual Spring Hike to the summit of Mount Beacon. The interpretive tour taught participants the history of both
the mountain and the incline railway that ran to its top from 1902 to 1978 and was destroyed by fire in 1983. Now part of the
"Gateway to Mount Beacon Park" owned by the Scenic Hudson Land Trust, the railway and its powerhouse are listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. The Incline Society's mission is to restore the railway to operation so that it may serve as the centerpiece
asset in a revitalized recreational area.
April 19, 2009 - Incline Society Holds Earth Day Hike
"People need a suitable place to rendevous with nature to recharge themselves," says Jim Bopp. "You can't tell me you go on the top
of Mount Beacon and you don't feel different. I love Mount Beacon."
He loves it so much, in fact, that he's worked relentlessly
for over 10 years to get Beacon's incline railway reinstated. Bopp, who began his lifetime career in welding and engineering at a
factory on East Main Street, was the last person to operate the railway before it shut down in 1978. With the help of upstate advocacy
organization Scenic Hudson, his group, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Society, has entered what he hopes are the final stages in
securing the project's planning. Full article here
June 18, 2009 - Fire Tower Slated for Historic Register
BEACON, N.Y. - The Mount Beacon Fire Tower near Beacon in Dutchess County is among 24 sites selected for inclusion
in the the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Properties listed on the state and national registers can apply for public
preservation and matching government tax credits.
The Mount Beacon Fire Observation Tower, located on the summit of South Beacon Mountain,
is a 60-foot steel tower, built in 1931. It is currently being restored by volunteers for use by the public.
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July 29, 2009 - Fire Tower Placed in Historic Register
BEACON, N.Y. - Senator Stephen Saland and a number of local officials gathered Tuesday at Mt. Beacon Gateway Park to honor
the Mount Beacon Fire Tower as a noteworthy part of the region’s history.
The entire project is being spearheaded by the Mount Beacon
Incline Railway Society. “This project is a continuum of a renaissance that Beacon has experienced over the course of the last 15
to 20 years,” said Senator Stephen Saland. Full article here
S O C I E T Y
R E S T O R A T I O N
Oct 9, 2009 - Fishkill Supervisor to Join Incline Railway Board
FISHKILL, N.Y. - Joan Pagones was chosen to join the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society board of trustees. Pagones is
the Fishkill town supervisor, a position she’s held since 1991.
“Joan brings incredible leadership, drive and integrity to our board,”
said Incline Society President Anne Lynch. Full article here
Oct 19, 2009 - Railroad Construction Companies Visit Mt. Beacon
BEACON, N.Y. - In the past week, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society has hosted site visits by two railroad construction
companies: J-Track of College Point, New York, and RCC of Paterson, New Jersey. The purpose was to assess the ruins of the railway
in preparation for its reconstruction. Read more
Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society
Post Office Box 1248, Beacon, New York 12508
Phone: 845.765.3262
Feb 28, 2010 - Schaeffer Named Business Person of the Year
BEACON, N.Y. - When it came to picking the Business Person of the Year, the "of the year" part made it remarkably easy for the past
12 months. It's Fred Schaeffer. It was his year....Next on Schaeffer's agenda is finishing the transition and funding for the Walkway.
But there may be more. He's joined the board of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Association in Beacon. Full article here